Can’t find a comfortable carry solution for OWB carry.

I use a ratchet belt. It's basically a leather belt with a smaller kydex belt inside it. So it's a little stiffer, a little sturdier, and still looks like a regular belt. What makes it so great is being able to quickly and easily select the retention point. The little stops on the kydex are very close together and lock securely. It's not just that you can get a more exact fit off the bat. It's that you can make tiny adjustments as needed. Whether you're really full or you skipped lunch, or whatever else you have going on, when your body changes a little you can match it with ease.

Here's something else we don't always talk about. Being a bigger guy can change how you wear clothes, much less guns. Notice the discussion of having to cinch a belt very tightly to get it to work and how that's not entirely comfortable. They've fallen a little out of favor but once upon a time, it was common for a bigger guy to wear suspenders instead of a belt. While it might be fashion faux pas, you can wear both for the sake of concealed carry. The suspenders will allow you to relax the belt a little. It becomes more about holding the gun than holding up your pants or keeping to just the right spot on your waist. Since you'll probably be wearing a cover garment anyway, there are types of suspenders than can be worn a layer down.

If you're in a position to wear the right cover garment all the time, you might consider shoulder carry. Some shoulder rigs anchor to the belt line and act as de facto suspenders.
 
To get around my additional girth, I just wear pant 1 size larger and carry IWB (Uberti 4.75 El Patron .45 Colt). Half the time I forget I'm wearing it. Also carried my S&W 586 4" in the same manner.
 
The skinny guy chiming in here also. I'm currently in "trial and error" mode. I'm somewhat new to CC. I'm currently accessing carrying my Beretta Nano IWB appendix. I have a N82 Tactical Pro IWB padded holster and while it is very comfortable overall, the downside is it feels very bulky.

https://n82tactical.com/product/professional-holster/


I also have a simple and inexpensive kydex IWB and it's "ok" as far as comfort but do get that uncomfortable "edgy" irritation feeling with certain body movements. IWB appendix offers me excellent concealability , but with my very thin build i'm realizing this is a very challenging task. Now I know why there is a bazillion used holsters for sale on all the forums. You buy them basically blind, you realize they are uncomfortable and sell them off. I'm now looking to OWB as an alternate. I'm thinking a Winthrop leather pancake style :

https://www.winthropholsters.com/pancake-outside-the-waistband-holsters/

I've thought about 3:00 IWB carry but again with my very thin build I about guarantee I will probably feel much discomfort.
 
I'm a little on the "fluffy" side as well, and cinching my belt tight enough to keep my pants up while carrying was causing too much pain and discomfort. So I picked up a set of Carhartt 2" wide suspenders and end of problem. I wear an undershirt under an untucked t-shirt or polo anyway, so they work well for me. I carry OWB at 3:00, and with the suspenders I can carry heavier guns like my .327 SP101 with no droop.

https://www.amazon.com/Carhartt-Men...7&sr=1-1-12d4272d-8adb-4121-8624-135149aa9081
 
Well I dunno y’all, I think I’m about pretty much to the conclusion that because I sit all day every day that, no matter what gun I carry, what belt I use or what OWB holster I use to carry it in, that nothing’s going to work comfortably unless I “A”, lose a bunch of my gut, or slap on a set of suspenders between two shirts, or resort to wearing two shirts for a shoulder holster, or only OWB carry the way that I have been, but with something that’s as light as my little Pug 22 magnum revolver from North American Arms because between a new gun, new holster and two new gun belts, this just ain’t workin.

So, I’m thinking I’m just gonna go back to pocket carrying the Springfield in the front hip pocket of my cargo pants for when I’m at work, and probably get one of those magnetic gun mounts for any of my other full-size guns to get mounted to the underneath of my dash in my work truck, and just call it a day.

The whole reason of this thread was to hopefully find a comfortable, yet best feasible and easily accessible solution to carry my gun when I’m at work in my semi all day; not only for when I’m standing in line in the convenient store trying to pay for the diesel I just pumped in my truck, but for also when I’m sitting down all day in the cab and I all of the sudden have to defend myself from somebody trying to carjack me.

I thought I could take out two birds with one stone and just carry one gun concealed outside the waistband that would cover both in and out of the truck but comfortability is being an issue that’s preventing it so, I feel this is my only option. Thanks for everybody’s help and suggestions.


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corneileous said:
Well I dunno y’all, I think I’m about pretty much to the conclusion that because I sit all day every day that, no matter what gun I carry, what belt I use or what OWB holster I use to carry it in, that nothing’s going to work comfortably...

So, I’m thinking I’m just gonna go back to pocket carrying the Springfield in the front hip pocket of my cargo pants for when I’m at work, and probably get one of those magnetic gun mounts for any of my other full-size guns to get mounted to the underneath of my dash in my work truck, and just call it a day.

The whole reason of this thread was to hopefully find a comfortable, yet best feasible and easily accessible solution to carry my gun when I’m at work in my semi all day; not only for when I’m standing in line in the convenient store trying to pay for the diesel I just pumped in my truck, but for also when I’m sitting down all day in the cab and I all of the sudden have to defend myself from somebody trying to carjack me. ...
Click to expand...

You seem discouraged. Don't be. Finding the right carry solution can take a lot of work. A lot of us have faced this challenge. There's a reason we sometimes joke about "the holster box" at the back of the closet. :)

Here are some things to consider based on what you've said:

Pocket carry is quick and convenient. I carry an LCR that way a lot of the time. The real trouble with this, besides using up a pocket, is that it's hard to draw while seated. It sounds like a big issue for you is being seated, probably with a seat belt in an enclosed space. Belt holsters, IWB and OWB can also pose challenges drawing from a seated position. (Practice some defensive drills from your usual spots, drawing with an unloaded gun.)

Shoulder carry can be comfortable, avoids the belt issue, and is generally the easiest to draw from a seated/enclosed position. The only issue for this one is the absolute need to keep on your cover garment. You mention using a second shirt but in my experience, cover garments for shoulder carry should be a bit thicker, stiffer, or otherwise able to break up possible printing. I've done it with a blazer, suit jacket, leather jacket, canvas jacket (field coat), heavy or padded flannel, and even a thick cardigan sweater. You'd just need to try it and see what you need for your body. (I definitely recommend vertical over horizontal for shoulder carry.) Practice carrying over a weekend or something and have your wife, friend, etc. watch for excessive printing.

Generally, I don't like those little single action revolvers in rimfire for self defense. They can work but they present their own challenges and leave a lot to be desired. If none of the other options discussed here sound good, try a high-rise OWB pancake holster for a compact 9mm (or .380 if need be). The side anchor points on that type of holster distribute weight nicely and they keep more of the gun up above the belt line. You'll still need a cover garment but this method could be more forgiving than shoulder carry. Lots of companies make this style of OWB holster but the Galco Fletch is a popular example.

Just be patient and try different things. Having a secondary full-sized firearm in the truck isn't a terrible idea but there are challenges with that too. Having a good firearm on your person should be the main goal. I hope this helps. I look forward to updates.
 
Sometimes in life we just have to put up with inconveniences and a little discomfort to do what must be done (like going to the gym).

There's little chance you'll find a way to pack a gat that you won't notice, especially at first. Obviously, you don't want other people to notice, but face it - you are going to feel it. But after awhile it kinda goes away.

I get the "comfortable" issue. But try the solution closest to "comfortable" for a few months and don't spend a lot of pesos on methods/holsters/body locations every few weeks.

You'll be surprised how it'll become the new normal if you just stick to something that works. And by "works" I mean quickest access, concealability, and a pistola you are *intimately* familiar with in a caliber that will get the job done when the fat is in the fire.

I've become so accustomed to having a gun on my hip (IWB for me, your milage and geography may vary) that I notice when it's NOT there.

If you need it, you'll need it NOW without having to think, "Now, where did I put my gun today?"

Just my 2¢...

PS: I wear suspenders.



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Cosmodragoon said:
You seem discouraged. Don't be. Finding the right carry solution can take a lot of work. A lot of us have faced this challenge. There's a reason we sometimes joke about "the holster box" at the back of the closet. :)



Here are some things to consider based on what you've said:



Pocket carry is quick and convenient. I carry an LCR that way a lot of the time. The real trouble with this, besides using up a pocket, is that it's hard to draw while seated. It sounds like a big issue for you is being seated, probably with a seat belt in an enclosed space. Belt holsters, IWB and OWB can also pose challenges drawing from a seated position. (Practice some defensive drills from your usual spots, drawing with an unloaded gun.)



Shoulder carry can be comfortable, avoids the belt issue, and is generally the easiest to draw from a seated/enclosed position. The only issue for this one is the absolute need to keep on your cover garment. You mention using a second shirt but in my experience, cover garments for shoulder carry should be a bit thicker, stiffer, or otherwise able to break up possible printing. I've done it with a blazer, suit jacket, leather jacket, canvas jacket (field coat), heavy or padded flannel, and even a thick cardigan sweater. You'd just need to try it and see what you need for your body. (I definitely recommend vertical over horizontal for shoulder carry.) Practice carrying over a weekend or something and have your wife, friend, etc. watch for excessive printing.



Generally, I don't like those little single action revolvers in rimfire for self defense. They can work but they present their own challenges and leave a lot to be desired. If none of the other options discussed here sound good, try a high-rise OWB pancake holster for a compact 9mm (or .380 if need be). The side anchor points on that type of holster distribute weight nicely and they keep more of the gun up above the belt line. You'll still need a cover garment but this method could be more forgiving than shoulder carry. Lots of companies make this style of OWB holster but the Galco Fletch is a popular example.



Just be patient and try different things. Having a secondary full-sized firearm in the truck isn't a terrible idea but there are challenges with that too. Having a good firearm on your person should be the main goal. I hope this helps. I look forward to updates.
Click to expand...



Not really discouraged, just don’t know really what other options there are except suspenders or over the shoulder pistol holder. Lol.

But yeah, I’ve already got quite the collection of holsters.

And I know pocket carry isn’t preferred especially while seated but that’s why I have the other pistol that stays in my backpack that can easily be transferred from the backpack to one of those little magnetic gun mount things that I’m thinking about buying.


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Skippy said:
Sometimes in life we just have to put up with inconveniences and a little discomfort to do what must be done (like going to the gym).

There's little chance you'll find a way to pack a gat that you won't notice, especially at first. Obviously, you don't want other people to notice, but face it - you are going to feel it. But after awhile it kinda goes away.

I get the "comfortable" issue. But try the solution closest to "comfortable" for a few months and don't spend a lot of pesos on methods/holsters/body locations every few weeks.

You'll be surprised how it'll become the new normal if you just stick to something that works. And by "works" I mean quickest access, concealability, and a pistola you are *intimately* familiar with in a caliber that will get the job done when the fat is in the fire.

I've become so accustomed to having a gun on my hip (IWB for me, your milage and geography may vary) that I notice when it's NOT there.

If you need it, you'll need it NOW without having to think, "Now, where did I put my gun today?"

Just my 2¢...

PS: I wear suspenders.



Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



Put up with what inconveniences, the fact that with a set of suspenders, or even a shoulder carry harness having to wear basically two shirts? Yeah, that’ll be real nice down here once the summertime hits and that Oklahoma humidity sets in…and to add even further into it, that even doesn’t really sit well considering the fact that I am a hot natured person as it is, and the fact that I grew up tmost of my life in southwestern Colorado so, even after 6 years here, I can’t take this heat down here, I still ain’t no where near adapted to this heat yet. I mean hell, if my boss would let me, I’d be wearing shorts and flip-flops every day but I can’t… LOL.


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A steel core belt solves my CC issues.

it took a bit of getting used to but now my Shield9 (OWB) is a joy to carry and a G23(OWB) is doable for at least 6hrs at a time.


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peterg7 said:
A steel core belt solves my CC issues.

it took a bit of getting used to but now my Shield9 (OWB) is a joy to carry and a G23(OWB) is doable for at least 6hrs at a time.


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Click to expand...
For a gun to be a "carry gun", you need to be able to carry it all day. That includes long days and difficult days. Being out and about, you might not be in a position to take it off and leave it.

I know this situation very well from shoulder carry. Am I too hot? Do I want to take off my cover garment? Not an option. So plan ahead. Once you step out of your house, you are committed to your choice of carry.
 
Yes but I’m retired so I don’t need to put in a long day, I carry every time I leave the house and while at home I pocket carry.

I find the Shield9 a suitable choice for running to town for shopping, my G23 is my church security gun and most Sundays I put it on at 7:00 and take it off when I get home about 1:00pm

I believe in KISS for CC, that means a level 1 retention kydex OWB holster and on rare occasions a leather IWB.

There’s a lot of gimmicks being marketed to gun guys who struggle with carry and that’s why it seems the popular belief of a box full of holsters is the norm.

Not me I buy 2 holsters per carry gun, OWB, IWB money is better spent on a good leather/steel belt than gimmicks.


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I spent the last 15 years of my LE career as a Detective and carried concealed daily a SIG P220, .45 ACP, which is not small. I used an EL Paso Saddlery "Street Combat. This is an extremely well made pancake holster that is still well under $100. For a belt I used either a 1.5 inch Helweg stitched leather (black) or a Bianchi 1.5 inch Stitched leather belt (brown). I still use both and they are both over 25 years old.
In retirement now, I carry a 642 either in my RF Pocket (preferred) or in a JIT on my belt at 3 o'clock. If I take a long trip in my car I use an upside down shoulder holster.
 
azretired said:
I spent the last 15 years of my LE career as a Detective and carried concealed daily a SIG P220, .45 ACP, which is not small. I used an EL Paso Saddlery "Street Combat. This is an extremely well made pancake holster that is still well under $100. For a belt I used either a 1.5 inch Helweg stitched leather (black) or a Bianchi 1.5 inch Stitched leather belt (brown). I still use both and they are both over 25 years old.
In retirement now, I carry a 642 either in my RF Pocket (preferred) or in a JIT on my belt at 3 o'clock. If I take a long trip in my car I use an upside down shoulder holster.
Click to expand...


Forgive me, I’m just now seeing that there was two more responses to this thread but anywhoo to give an update, I think I’m just pretty much to the conclusion that with any belt to just even hold my pants up, I just don’t have the right body shape or something because just to even use a regular belt I still have to have it excessively tight in my opinion so as soon as it comes in, I bought an elastic webbing belt that’s real similar to the slide buckle as my Grip6 belt just to see if I can still have a belt pretty tight but something that’s going to actually move with my body when I go from standing up to sitting down or vice a versa. So with that said, I don’t really think there is a traditional belt out there that would do me any good for any case because I just simply have to have it too uncomfortably tight to do what it supposed to and is just too uncomfortable.

When winter time comes back around I can still wear either my kore essentials slide gun belt or maybe even my Volund gearworks gun belt with my dress jeans I wear casually because I won’t be sitting down all day long like when I’m at work sitting at this truck for upwards of 12 hours at a time. But when I’m at work, I’m afraid that my only choice to comfortably carry my pistol is in the pocket holster.


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JERRYS. said:
if a belt isn't doing the job of holding your pants up, why not add suspenders?
Click to expand...


Well, that certainly may be the direction I’m headed if the new elastic belt I bought doesn’t keep me comfortable being cinched down tight enough to hold my pants up.


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I agree, suspenders are the way to go, especially if your belly is bigger than your hips and butt. I don't see how an elastic belt will ever keep your pants up while packing OWB or IWB or even pocket carry.

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Skippy said:
I agree, suspenders are the way to go, especially if your belly is bigger than your hips and butt. I don't see how an elastic belt will ever keep your pants up while packing OWB or IWB or even pocket carry.

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Click to expand...


The elastic belt is just hopefully to cure the the issue I have even when I’m not carrying. I wouldn’t dare use an elastic belt for OWB carry. As far as pocket carry, that’s no different from anything else that’s in my pockets- wallet, pocket knife.... cell phone.


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corneileous said:
The elastic belt is just hopefully to cure the the issue I have even when I’m not carrying. I wouldn’t dare use an elastic belt for OWB carry. As far as pocket carry, that’s no different from anything else that’s in my pockets- wallet, pocket knife.... cell phone.


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Click to expand...
Gotcha. Adding a loaded pistol to the pockets would certainly weigh more the the other stuff. As an avowed suspenders-wearer with a bigger gut than hips/butt I highly recommend them, the Dickies brand that hook under a good gun belt.

I don't have to cinch the belt to keep my drawers up and comfortable over a tank undershirt and under whatever shirt I wear. I don't tuck my outer shirts in anyway, so no problem there. I always carry IWB but should be just as doable with OWB. I carried a 1911 that way for years and now pack an HK VP9 or snub revolver; occasionally but rarely, a Browning Hi Power

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Try this...

Stop wearing a belt.
You're a trucker.
Again, stop wearing a belt.

Wear suspenders to keep your pants up.

As for the handgun...
Wear an elastic and velcro Belly-band under the suspenders.
But don't wear it at your waist, wear it just above your gut or "love handles".
Not too tight, nor too loose, just let it rest on your belly.

In warm weather just wear a t-shirt over the suspenders and belly-band, which is still fairly quick to get to your handgun.
And in cold weather, wear the suspenders and belly-band OVER your shirt and thermals, but UNDER your jacket.
That way you don't have to reach under additional layers of clothing to get to your handgun.

Not recommending this company or suggesting their products, but just as an example of what I'm talking about...

https://www.daltechforce.com/collec...se6ZuykPYAntWMtAwons_7YJZ6Xcn61MaAqQZEALw_wcB
 
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